Instant video-and voicemail messaging method and means

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the field of instant messaging. More specifically the invention relates to a server centric method and unit for instant voice and video mail messaging. Even more particularly the invention relates to voicemail messaging with mobile terminals. The inventive methods and units under study allow faster voice messaging and enable similar, but not identical audio/video message “ping ball”. The sending of voicemail in accordance with the invention is instantaneous and involves no different telephone numbers for the sender to remember. The reception of messages is always instantaneous, provided the recipient is available, and only if not available, may the delivery of the messages be delayed.

PRIORITY REQUEST DATA

[0001] A previous patent application describes an invention with samegoals and essence in patent application FI20001838 with serverindependent embodiments, where servers are used only as a backup, whichis here taken as reference and priority of which is requested.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to the field of instant messaging. Morespecifically the invention relates to a server centric method and meansfor instant voice and video mail messaging. Even more particularly theinvention relates voicemail messaging with mobile terminals.

BACKGROUND

[0003] For further prior art to this invention, we wish to submit WO01/54387 A1, Nguyen. This document discloses a method where: “A uniquetelephone number and extension are associated with each (1) one of aplurality of subscribers (105). The telephone number is also associatedwith a remote access point of presence (RAPP) (120). Messages are leftfor subscribers by establishing a phone call to the phone numberassociated therewith. The phone call is received at a RAPP (120). TheRAPP (120) receives the voice message, digitises and pocketsize thevoice message, and transmits the message over a packet network (130) toa store and forward messaging system (125). The store and forwardmessaging system stores the message for retrieval. The message can beretrieved by either telephone, a client computer, or a private branchexchange terminal (110).” This document is cited here as reference.

[0004] In addition prior art methods in delivering messages includeCellular voicemail and SMS (Short Message Service) messages. SMSmessages are text-based messages, which are delivered to the terminaldirectly as a first priority, and stored on the network if delivery isunavailable, with Cellular Voicemail it is possible to call thevoicemail box of the recipient, and the recipient of the voicemail maylater listen the message.

[0005] This prior art has several disadvantages in contrast with theinvention in the priority document and this inventive method under studybased on the priority document. SMS messages are restricted to textwhich is harder to input than voice by speech. SMS messages aretherefore tedious to the sender. Cellular voicemail is both tedious tosend and receive. In order to send voicemail, the sender has to know thetelephone number of the voicemail box of the recipient, which istypically different from the phone number, or wait for the voicemail boxto connect to the original telephone number when the recipient is notavailable. In order to receive voicemail, the recipient needs toretrieve the message from the network, because the message is notdelivered instantly to him.

SUMMARY

[0006] The method under study is far faster and enables similar, but notidentical audio/video message “ping ball” as described in the prioritydocument. The sending of voicemail in accordance with the invention isinstantaneous and involves no different telephone numbers for the senderto remember. The reception of messages is always instantaneous, providedthe recipient is available, and only if not available, may the deliveryof the messages be delayed.

[0007] The aforementioned advantages are best realised with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, in which the user has a softwareapplication running on his subscriber terminal. The user chooses arecipient for a voice- or video mail from the contacts book of theterminal by pressing a button. The terminal forms a data connection to aserver or dials a telephone connection to a server, which typically hasa low latency i.e. the connection to the server is formed fast. Thesubscriber terminal sends the contact information of the recipient tothe server. The subscriber terminal, the server or both indicate to theuser that the recording of the message is begun or may be started. Therecording is displayed and/or dictated down to phone line to the serveror through a packet switched connection to the server. The server storesthe recording typically in MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure, u-law,A-law, PCM or ADPCM or the like format to a database. There is typicallya DSP circuit that digitises the recording to a data file. Alternativelytape recording may be used. The server inspects the phone number, IPaddress or other contact directory of the recipient, and routes themessage file, or a copy of it, to a server in close proximity in theSFSN (Store and Forward Server Network). This server, or alternativelythe original server, then establishes a communication connection to therecipient(s). The connection is typically established by a phone call tothe recipient, and when the recipient answers the message is played tothe recipient. Prefixes and postfixes may be attached to the messagesuch as: “Message of Ms. Vilma Väänãnen” MESSAGE “The message of VilmaVäänãnen was brought to you by OPERATOR.”

[0008] A video and/or voicemail messaging method, comprising at leastone subscriber terminal and at least one server, in accordance with theinvention is characterised by the steps of,

[0009] choosing at least one message recipient or a group,

[0010] forming a communications connection to at least one server,

[0011] recording at least one voice/video message to at least one servervia at least one established communications connection,

[0012] transferring at least one contact directory of at least onerecipient to at least one server,

[0013] disconnecting the connection to at least one server,

[0014] at least one server relays the message to at least one recipientterminal via telephony network or the Internet.

[0015] A video- and/or voicemail messaging method, comprising at leastone subscriber terminal and at least one server, in accordance with theinvention is characterised by the steps of,

[0016] choosing at least one message recipient or a group,

[0017] forming a communications connection to at least one server,

[0018] recording at least one voice/video message to at least one servervia at least one established communications connection,

[0019] transferring at least one contact directory of at least onerecipient to at least one server,

[0020] disconnecting the connection to at least one server,

[0021] transferring at least one said message and at least one saidcontact directory to a Store and Forward Server Network (SFSN),

[0022] at least one server in the SFSN or the original server relays atleast one message to at least one recipient terminal device through theInternet or the telephony network,

[0023] A video- and/or voicemail messaging server, comprising at leastone media player and/or a DSP and at least one data storage means andcommunications connections in and out of the telephony network, SFSNand/or the Internet in accordance with the invention is characterised inthat,

[0024] a recording is arranged to be made to the media player and/or DSPthrough an established communications connection from a subscriberterminal,

[0025] a capture of recipient contact information and/or other messageattributes from the subscriber terminal is arranged on the server, andthe contact information is arranged to be stored to the storage means,

[0026] at least one media player and/or DSP is arranged to store therecording to a data file,

[0027] at least one data file is arranged to be stored on the datastorage means,

[0028] at least one data file, or at least one copy of the data file isarranged to be sent to another server in the SFSN and/or a connection isarranged to be formed to at least one recipient.

[0029] A video- and/or voicemail messaging subscriber terminal inaccordance with the invention is characterised in that,

[0030] the user is arranged with the possibility to select at least onerecipient,

[0031] at least one communications connection is arranged to be formedto the server upon selection of at least one recipient,

[0032] the recipient contact information is arranged to be sent to theserver,

[0033] terminal is arranged to relay at least one video and/or audiosignal to the server,

[0034] the communication connection is arranged to be disconnected upona dedicated action or upon the fulfilment of dedicated criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the following the invention will be described in greaterdetail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with theaccompanying drawings, in which

[0036]FIG. 1 demonstrates the principal method 10 of the invention as aflow diagram.

[0037]FIG. 2 demonstrates a more scalable messaging method 20 inaccordance with the invention.

[0038]FIG. 3 demonstrates a method applicable to circuit switchednetworks in accordance with the invention.

[0039]FIG. 4 demonstrates a subscriber terminal 40 in accordance withthe invention.

[0040]FIG. 5 demonstrates a network server 50 in accordance with theinvention.

[0041]FIG. 6 demonstrates a scalable messaging architecture 60 inaccordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In phase 110 of FIG. 1 the message recipient is chosen. Therecipient may be chosen by labeling the recipient with a pointer fromthe “contacts” file of the terminal device, the recipient may be chosenby speech recognition, a dedicated keyboard accelerator, hot key,dedicated key or any combinations or permutations of these in someembodiments. Several recipients or a group may also be selected in someembodiments. A simple press of a button may also be used to select atleast one recipient. The terminal device is typically a computer,palmtop, laptop, or a mobile station, mobile phone, pager or any wiredor wireless information device. In some embodiments the terminalfeatures Windows-, Windows NT-, Epoc-, Windows CE-, Unix-, Linux-, OS/2,Symbian, Epoc, PalmOS, Pocket PC, GEOS, MS-Stinger and/or Sybase or thelike operating system or software.

[0043] In phase 120 a packet switched or a circuit switched connectionis established to the server. In some embodiments the subscriberterminal intercepts a selected recipient(s) contact directory, and formsa communications connection to the server. The connection is typically aSS7-, GSM-, H323-, HTTP-, GSM-data, IP-RAN-, UMTS-, WAP-, Teldesic-,Inmarsat-, Iridium-, GPRS-, CDMA-data-, WCDMA-data, HTTP-, H323-, SMS-,MMS-, email-LAN-, TCP/IP-, imode-, Globalstar- and/or WLAN-connection insome embodiments.

[0044] In phase 130 the recipient contact information of at least onerecipient or a recipient group is transferred to the server via theconnection or otherwise. The recipient contact information may comprisethe telephone number, static or dynamic IP-address, ISDN-number,MSISDN-number, email, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) ID of therecipient, or any other directory information. The subscriber terminalmay translate directory information from one type to the next dependingon the requirements. For example, when the network is packet switched, atelephone number may be converted to an IP-address in some embodiments.In some embodiments the directory information of the sender, such asCaller ID, telephone number, IP address or the like is transferred tothe server as well. The directory information of the recipients, senderor other message attributes are transferred via the establishedcommunications channel, or through a separate communications ormessaging channel. For example, if the connection is a phone call, DTMFtones, SMS messages, USSD messages or the like may be used tocommunicate the said information. If the connection is an IP connection,usually this same connection is used to convey the said information.

[0045] In phase 140 the voice/video message is recorded in packetswitched or circuit switched format, but other formats are also possiblein some embodiments. Consequently, the recording is written to a datafile. The data file is typically an MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure datafile in some preferable embodiments. In some alternative embodiments themessage may be recorded on tape. In some embodiments phase 140 may beexecuted prior to 130, or both may be executed concurrently.

[0046] In phase 150 the connection is disconnected. The connection ispreferably disconnected when the message has been completed. Theconnection may be disconnected by the user by a dedication action, suchas pressing a button or a like action. The fulfilment of a predefinedtime limit may disconnect the connection, as well as Voice ActivityDetection. If the user is silent, then either the terminal may concludethe message is completed, and disconnect the connection. Also therelease or press of a button may be used to disconnect the connection.

[0047] In phase 160 the server relays the message to the recipient(s)through the Internet or the telephony network. If the recipient terminalis capable of receiving the data file, which means typically having apacket switched access to the recipient device, the message may be sentwith an packet switched connection, like IP, through the Internet, orthrough some other closed network. If the receiving terminal is acircuit switched device, for instance a telephone of any kind, theserver may call the number and once answered by a recipient or avoicemail box plays the message as playback down the phone line. In someembodiments of the invention, a special prefix and postfix may be storedto the server, which in some embodiments are associated and recognizedon the basis of the sender's directory information, the SIM or themobile station memory, and is played prior to the recording in the datafile or after it. The prefix and/or postfix could play for instance: “Inthe following you will hear a message from Ms. Vilma Väänãnen.” MESSAGE“This completed the message of Vilma Väänãnen.” In some preferableembodiments the sender is displayed on the recipient terminal screen.

[0048] When the recipient receives the message in phase 170, someindication of this is typically captured. The recipient is asked in thepostfix whether he would like to hear the message again, whether heunderstood the message, whether he is the person the message wasintended to or any other attributes related to the status of the messagemay be queried. The user may indicate his preferences by pressing e.g. adedicated button. This dedicated action will signal the server on thestatus of a certain message with respect to a certain recipient.

[0049] If the recipient is unavailable, the message may be stored on theserver for some time, and attempts to deliver the message may be takenat timely intervals. In some embodiments the message is rerouted to analternative directory, such as email or voicemail box if the user isunavailable. The server may send a notification to the sender concerningwhich messages got delivered, which did not, how long will the messagesremain in the network and other related important delivery statusinformation relating to the delivery of said messages or attributedgiven by the recipient(s).

[0050] In phase 180 the recipient may answer sender directly. This maybe done by pressing a button after the data file has been played anddictating another data file or another dictation to tape, which will besent to the initial sender as a reply. The reply may be delivered inaccordance with the inventive methods 10, 20 and/or 30 in someembodiments. In some further embodiments it is also possible to forwardmessages to other recipients or third parties. The data file istypically an MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure data file.

[0051]FIG. 2 displays a more scalable messaging method in accordancewith the invention. In phase 210 of FIG. 2 at least one recipient ischosen. In phase 220 the subscriber terminal forms a connection to theserver. Recipient contact information is typically transferred in phase230, and the recording of the said video/audio message is done in phase240. The connection is disconnected in phase 250.

[0052] Before phase 260 the server establishes, whether it shoulddeliver the message to the recipient directly as in phase 160 of method10, or forward it to other servers in a Store and Forward Server Networkassociated with the original server. In a sealable network architecture,phase 260 is typically proceeded with and both the recipient contactinformation and the message are passed onto the SFSN. In someembodiments where several recipients or at least one group exists, themessage may be relayed to some recipients by the original server and tosome by the SFSN. The SFSN is typically a network of servers linkedtogether through the Internet, telephony network, a Virtual PrivateNetwork (VPN), or some other communications or signalling network. Theconnections in the SFSN may be TCP/IP-, IP-, UDP-, HTTP, H323-, and/orFTC- in some embodiments.

[0053] In phase 270 the servers in the SFSN typically deliver a copy ofthe message to a server near a recipient, and this server attempts torelay the message to the said recipient. The server may attempt to forma packet switched connection to one, some or all of the recipientsterminals, attempt to dial a circuit switched telephone connection andplay the message as playback down the phone line, or email the messageto the recipient. In phase 280 the messages that were undelivered arestored on the SFSN.

[0054] In phase 290 some or all of messages that were undelivered inphase 270 are being resent. The server may attempt to resend the messageto the same directories or addresses, or it may attempt to reroute themessage to an alternative address of the recipient. In some preferableembodiments the server sends a different message, for instance an SMSmessage, signifying that the message was not delivered and is on theserver for later retrieval. The notification message may contain accesscodes, directory information of the server, such as dial in phonenumber, URL address, IP address or the like.

[0055] In one alternative embodiment, the software in the subscriberterminal has the telephone number of the software stored. Both thetelephone number and the current IP-address are given to the server.Telephone numbers and IP-addresses can then be used interchangeably whencontact is made between software applications. This results to theeffect that information in packet switched format can be readilytransmitted to telephone numbers, provided these telephone numbers havea corresponding IP-address.

[0056] In FIG. 3 the method 30 shows an inventive audio/video messagingmethod which is most applicable to circuit switched communications, i.e.cellular e.g. GSM or CDMA or fixed line e.g. POTS (Pain Old TelephoneService). In phase 310 at least one recipient or a group are selectedfrom the telephone or mobile station memory. The recipient may be chosenby labeling the recipient with a pointer from the “contacts” file of theterminal device, the recipient may be chosen by speech recognition, adedicated keyboard accelerator, hot key, dedicated key or anycombinations or permutations of these in some embodiments. Severalrecipients or a group may also be selected in some embodiments. A simplepress of a button may also be used to select at least one recipient.

[0057] In some preferable embodiments the mobile station features SIMApplication Toolkit (SAT), Java Virtual Machine or Wireless TelephonyApplication Interface support WTAI. A special menu e.g. “VoiceMessages”, or “Instant Voice Messages” or “Uni-directional phone call”menu may be realised in accordance with the invention. The recipient maybe selected from this menu, typically on the SIM and/or mobile stationmemory with the aforementioned methods.

[0058] In phase 320 the terminal intercepts the selected recipienttelephone number, and dials a telephone number associated with theserver.

[0059] Once the connection to the server is operational, either theterminal sends or server retrieves the recipient(s) contact directoryand the telephone number of the sender or caller ID of the message inphase 330. These telephone numbers may be sent through SS-, USSD-, SMS-or SS7-channels, or as DTMF tones through the connection. The serverthen records these numbers and translated or modifies them according tosome rules or definitions to enable further delivery of the message.Once the relevant information has been signalled between the terminaland the server, either one may indicate to the user that the dictationmay begin.

[0060] In phase 340 the message is being dictated through the connectionand recorded on the server. Consequently, the recording is written to adata file. The data file is typically an MP3-, WAV- or RealSystemSecure, u-law, A-law, PCM or ADPCM data file in some preferableembodiments. In some alternative embodiments the message may be recordedon tape. In some embodiments the process is cancelled if the connectionbreaks and an error notification indicating this may be sent by SMS.

[0061] In phase 350 the dial up connection is disconnected. Theconnection is preferably disconnected when the message has beencompleted. The connection may be disconnected by the user by a dedicatedaction, such as pressing a button or a like action. The fulfilment of apredefined time limit may disconnect the connection, as well as VoiceActivity Detection. If the user is silent, then either the terminal mayconclude the message completed, and disconnect the connection. Also therelease or press of a button may be used to disconnect the connection.

[0062] In phase 360 the server examines the message delivery requests.If it is determinable that the recipient is near the server, from thetelephone number, country or area code, VLR (Visitor Location Register),HLR (Home Location Register) or any other source, the server may proceedto phase 371. If the server concludes that reaching the recipient is notfeasible or justified according to set criteria, it will proceed tophase 370. Other logical reasons apart from narity, for example cost ofterminating connection may determine whether to proceed to 370 or 371,or neither. In extreme circumstances, if the delivery of the message isimpossible, the server may delete the message and send a notification tothe recipient, for example by SMS or email.

[0063] Assume the server proceeded to 371. In this phase the originalserver calls the numbers of the recipients and once answered by arecipient or a voicemail box plays the message as playback down thephone line. In some embodiments of the invention, a special prefix andpostfix may be stored to the server, which in some embodiments areassociated and recognized on the basis of the sender's directoryinformation, the SIM or the mobile station memory, and is played priorto the recording in the data file or after it. The prefix and/or postfixcould play for instance: “In the following you will hear a message fromMs Vilma Väänãnen.” MESSAGE “This completed the message of VilmaVäänãnen.” In some preferable embodiments the sender is displayed on therecipient terminal screen. In some embodiments, the caller ID, the nameof the sender or the like is displayed by the Caller ID property of thenetwork, or by a SMS, OTA (Over the Air) or WAP-flash, or SMS broadcastmessage.

[0064] In phase 381 the undelivered messages are stored at the server orin the SFSN. In phase 391 the original server or the SFSN attempts todeliver the message at timely intervals, for example by placing furthercalls. In some embodiments the message is rerouted to an alternativedirectory, such as email or voicemail box, or the like if the user isunavailable. Alternatively, the messages could be attempted to send viaa packet switched connection as described in FI20001838 of theapplicant. The server may send a notification to the sender concerningwhich messages got delivered, which did not, what was the reason; wasthe recipient busy, refused the call, in radio shadow, how long will themessages remain in the network and other related important deliverystatus information relating to the delivery of said messages. In somepreferable embodiments the server sends a different message to therecipient, for instance an SMS message, signifying that the message wasnot delivered and is held on the server for later retrieval. Thenotification message may contain access codes, directory information ofthe server, such as dial in phone number, URL address, IP address or thelike.

[0065] Assume the server proceeded to phase 370. Here the SFSN serversrelay the message to the recipients through the Internet or theTelephony network. The call to the recipient is sometimes made from anoptimal server in the SFSN. This may be the closest server or the onewith the most inexpensive communications connection to the recipient.The choice of the server making contact with a particular recipient isdetermined by delivery criteria set in the network. When the samemessage is delivered to various recipients in different locations,copies of the same message may be routed to several different servers,from which the call is made. The message delivery process may be asdescribed in phase 371.

[0066] In phase 380, the undelivered messages are stored on the SFSN.The messages may be stored for a period of time, before proceeding tophase 390. In some alternative embodiments there is an iteration loopbetween phases 380 and 390. In some cases several attempts to call arecipient are made, and a notification or rerouting of the message aretaken after some attempts have failed. Any SFSN server may send anotification to the sender concerning which messages got delivered,which did not, how long will the messages remain in the network andother related important delivery status information relating to thedelivery of said messages.

[0067] The recipients may also answer sender directly, upon reception ofa message. This may be done by pressing a button after the data file hasbeen played and dictating another data file or another dictation totape, which will be sent to the initial sender as a reply. The reply maybe delivered in accordance with the inventive methods 10, 20 and/or 30in some embodiments. In some further embodiments it is also possible toforward messages to other recipients or third parties. The data file istypically an MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure, u-law, A-law, PCM or ADPCMdata file.

[0068] During, in between or after any of the phases of methods 10, 20,30, directory lookup may be executed in some preferable embodiments. Thetelephone number of the recipient is converted to an IP-address in onepreferable embodiment. A prior art solution to directory lookup andconversion is presented in my patent application “Telenetwork directorytemplate”, FI19992774, which is taken here as reference. Directorylookup is here established as the interchange retrieval and/orcomparison of any directory information such as email-, IP-address, URL,ISDN number, MSISDN, phone number or the like to another correspondingemail-, IP-address, URL, ISDN number, phone number or the like directoryfrom the network, network server and/or terminal in order to deliver themessage to a directory. Especially in cases where the IP-address of therecipient is a dynamic one, the directory lookup is an advantageousfeature. In some embodiments where the recipient has a static IPaddress, the IP-address need not be looked up separately every time. Insome preferable embodiments IP-addresses of recipients are stored on thesubscriber terminal. In some embodiments only static IP-addresses ofrecipients are stored.

[0069] During, in between or after any of the phases of methods 10, 20,30, signal barring may be executed in some preferable embodiments. Insome embodiments the recipients may decline to receive messages fromunwanted parties, for example by setting conditions to their subscriberterminal.

[0070] Voice recognition may be employed during, before, in between orafter any of the phases of methods 10, 20, 30. In some preferableembodiments, voice recognition is used to convert the dictation into awritten email, SMS-, MMS-message or the like.

[0071] In some embodiments, at least one subscriber terminal and atleast one server form a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

[0072] A Regret function or request may be employed during, before, inbetween or after any of the phases of methods 10, 20, 30 in order todestroy an unwanted intermittent or complete message. It may be sent tothe server directly, which will handle the message cancellation onitself or the SFSN, even when it has already been sent. In someembodiments the message is destroyed upon receipt of the regret messageon any server, in some embodiments after the receiver has played themessage or in some embodiments irrespective of this.

[0073] In some embodiments, it is possible to utilize Autoplay uponreception. In this embodiment, the audio/video message is playedautomatically upon reception of the message. Typically, this meansopening the file containing the message, and possibly employing decodingand/or decryption methods in some embodiments. In some embodiments wherethe message arrives by playback down the phone line, Autoplay is used toautomatically answer these phone calls and play the call to thespeaker(s) of the terminal. In this embodiment the server typically hasto send some indication, signifying to the recipient terminal that it isindeed this message and not any call, in which case Auto answer may beemployed.

[0074] Charging and/or billing of the message may be realised duringbefore, in between or after any of the phases of methods 10, 20, 30. Insome preferable embodiments, the message is billed with a fixed priceand has a maximum duration. This way the service provider may estimatethe real cost of a message very accurately and charge a premium for theservice. This could be realised with a toll free number that has a fixedconnection charge for instance. It is also possible to bill the useronly after the message has been successfully delivered and notified.This could be realised for example by having everything else free, andcharging for the last SMS notification. Alternatively it is possiblejust to bill the user based on the telephone or Internet connection, forexample on a cost per connection minute or on a cost per transmitted orreceived bit.

[0075] The subscriber terminal is typically a mobile station equippedwith an Internet connection and/or a telephony network connection. Themobile station typically abides to UMTS-, GSM-, WAP-, Teldesic-,Inmarsat-, Iridium-, GPRS-, CDMA-, HTTP-, H323-, SMS-, MMS-, and/orWCDMA-standards in some preferable embodiments. The subscriber terminalused in the method may also be a PC, PDA, Palm Computer or an AppleMacintosh computer equipped with an Internet connection and/or atelephony network connection in some preferable embodiments. Thesubscriber terminal in accordance with the invention has typically anoperating system like Windows-, Windows NT-, Epoc-, Windows CE-, Unix-,Linux-, OS/2, Symbian, Epoc, PalmOS, Pocket PC, GEOS, Ms-Stinger and/orSybase. The execution of methods 10, 20, 30 is typically realised with aseparate software application operating under the control of thoseoperating systems. Alternatively, the execution of methods 10, 20, 30may be realised with software that is integrated to any of the aboveoperating systems. In some embodiments the execution of methods 10, 20,30 and their favourable permutations and further embodiments may berealised by OEM software for mobile stations, modems, computers, radio,SIM cards and/or line cards. In some embodiments the execution ofmethods 10, 20, 30 may be realised with software that is integrated toany email client software, such as Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express orthe like. In some embodiments the execution of methods 10, 20, 30 may berealised with software that is developed using SAT (SIM ApplicationToolkit) or WTAI (Wireless Telephony Application Interface) of WAP(Wireless Application Protocol).

[0076] Any sent or received messages or their drafts may be saved,forwarded and replied to during, before, in between or after any of thephases of methods 10, 20, 30 on the network servers, on the SFSN or onthe terminals or to the voicemail box, email or the like of the party inquestion.

[0077] The communications connections used between the terminals and theservers or in the SFSN are typically compliant with SS7-, GSM-, H323-,HTTP-, GSM-data, IP-RAN-, UMTS-, WAP-, Teldesic-, Inmarsat-, Iridium-,GPRS-, CDMA-data-, WCDMA-data-, HTTP-, H323-, SMS-, MMS-, USSD-,email-LAN-, TCP/IP-, UDP, imode-, Globalstar- and/or WLAN-connections insome embodiments.

[0078] The server typically features several incoming sockets forincoming packet switched connections and incoming dial in ports forincoming telephone calls, and features also the outgoing ports andsockets for both connections. In addition the server typically featuresalso a media player and a media recorder both of which may be integratedin some embodiments, alternatively tape recording and/or reproductionmay also be used. The server typically also comprises a database and adatabase management system (DBMS). The recorded media files are storedin the database. The DBMS or any other associated data management logicthen directs the files to the media player, provided the server decidesto relay the message to the recipient directly, or the DBMS transfersthe files to other servers in the SFSN, so that another server in theSFSN may deliver it to a recipient. The database can be any database ordata management utility, for example Oracle, Solid, TimesTen, Clustra,Informix, Sybase, IBM D2, or any other database or data managementsystem.

[0079]FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a subscriber terminal inaccordance with the invention. In FIG. 4 the user interface 400 of apreferable subscriber terminal is illustrated. The user interface 400 istypically a PDA and/or a mobile stations front- or backend, or a virtualtelephone on a PC screen. In one preferable embodiment, once the VSMS,or any other button or a combination of buttons is pressed, a recordingis begun, and the message may be transmitted in accordance with theinventive methods 10, 20 and/or 30. The release of the VSMS button, orany other button or their combination may finish the recording and sendthe message in accordance with the invention. In some embodiments thebuttons may be pressed physically or with a mouse pointer from a screen.In some embodiments separate dedicated keys, combinations of keys,shortcut keys, keyboard accelerators or the like are used to record anddeliver messages. In some embodiments, dedicated keys, combinations ofkeys, shortcut keys, voice recognition keyboard accelerators or the likeare used to record and deliver messages specifically to recipients towhom the dedicated keys, combinations of keys, shortcut keys, vocalsound, keyboard accelerators are dedicated to. For example, in oneembodiment the button “9” or Ctrl+M could be used to record and deliverthe message e.g. to the “M”other of the sender, i.e. mother of thesender. Naturally any other logical relationship between the hot key andthe recipient is possible.

[0080] In one embodiment the arrival of the message, or a packet streamcontaining the message may be indicated on the screen 410, or byflashing a light on the VSMS button or any other button or theircombination. Once the recipient holds the button down the message isplayed from the audio devices of the subscriber terminal. In somepreferable embodiments the inventive subscriber terminal features alsoan inbox for arrived messages.

[0081] In one embodiment the user interface 400 is the user interface ofa mobile station. In one embodiment the method is realized with acomputer program that is arranged to run on the SIM card (SubscriberIdentity Module) of the mobile station. The SIM card typically bas aCPU, EEPROM-, ROM- and RAM memories. In one phase of this specialembodiment the message recipient, several recipients or a group may bechosen from the memory of the SIM card or from the memory of the mobilestation, or it is inputted to the mobile station. When a dedicatedaction, such as pressing a button, is taken, a telephone connection isformed to a messaging server. Then the Caller ID and the telephonenumbers of the recipients are transmitted to the messaging server withDTMF tones, SMS, USSD, ISDN d-channel signalling or like signalling.Following this a data file is recorded from the dictation, voice orvideo that is available through the connection to messaging server. Amedia player/recorder and/or DSP is typically located on the server andis listening to the telephone connection. After this the message servertransfers the file to the recipient, to a secondary address of therecipient or dials the telephone number of the recipient and plays themessage as playback to the recipient when the call is answered or to thevoicemail box if the call is answered by the voicemail box.Alternatively the server may store the message with the addressinformation in a DBMS or database. The message can then be later sent toat least one recipient. This alternative embodiment is especiallysuitable when there are separate incoming and outgoing connections.Likewise the file can be transferred to a SFSN, which delivers themessage. The dialling of a data or a voice call and transmittance ofother information is realised in the terminal 400 using the proactiveSIM feature of the SAT SIM Application Toolkit, which is specified inthe phase 2+ of the GSM specification in some embodiments.

[0082] In some embodiments of the invention, a special prefix andpostfix may be stored on the network messaging server, the SIM or themobile station memory, is played prior and after the recording in thedata file to the recipient, respectively. The prefix and/or postfix canbe provided by the messaging server, or they can be recorded to themessaging server by the user from the mobile station. The prefix and/orpostfix could play for instance: “In the following you will hear amessage from Mr. Jero Jävenpää” MESSAGE “This completed the message ofJero Jävenpää.” The fact that the message was received could be detectedin various ways in accordance with the invention. When the recipient orthe voicemail box answers or hangs up, a DTMF tone or a USSD signal maybe transmitted by the recipient and detected by the server or thenetwork which may be used to notify the sender or the network that themessage was delivered, e.g. with an SMS message of a flash message onthe screen. Alternatively the recipient could be asked to press a buttonor perform a dedicated action in order to signal that the message wasindeed received and/or understood. If one or some of the recipients areunavailable, the message may be kept in memory and several otherattempts to send the message may be taken. In some embodiments it ispossible to set expiration conditions for the message, such as time,demands on memory by other functions, or various other conditions. Insome embodiments the SIM, the mobile station, and the messaging servermay execute the methods 10, 20, 30 or any permutation of these together,by for example the SIM performing the recipient selection and commandsfor forming or dialling connection, and the network server by providinga media player.

[0083]FIG. 5 exhibits a schematic exemplary embodiment of the messagingserver in accordance with the invention. The dial in ports and/or insockets 510 take the incoming phone calls or other incoming circuitswitched or packet switched connections. The media recorder 520 isarranged to record the audio and/or video that comes in through theconnections to the ports and sockets 510. The recorder 520 records anddigitises the input to a data file, which is typically of MP3-, WAV- orRealSystem Secure, but can be any file format. In alternativeembodiments a DSP circuit is interfaced with the media player and thedatabase 530, and this DSP circuit is used to digitise the transmissionsand store them to data files. The data file is stored to the database530. The database can be any database or data management utility, forexample Oracle, Solid, TimesTen, Clustra, Informix, Sybase, IBM D2, orany other database or data management system. The database 530 andassociated application and management logic analyse the data file andits associated attributes and transfer the file to either a furtherserver in the SFSN, or to the media player 540. For example if arecipient has a foreign country code, the server may relay the file to aSFSN server in that country or near to it. If the recipient is analysedto be in the domain of the server 500, the server uses the dial outports or out sockets 550 to form a connection to the recipient. When aconnection is established, the media player 540 is used to play themessage through the connection to the recipient, along with any pre-and/or postfixes assigned by the DBMS or application logic.

[0084] In some embodiments the media player 540 and 530 may beintegrated. It is clear that both are capable of processing severalrequests in parallel depending on how many processing requests theserver is engaged in.

[0085] Low latency is a preferable characteristic of the dial in portsor in sockets. Due to this the server 500 is typically a low latencyserver, associated closely with network elements. In some preferableembodiments the server is associated with an MSC, BSS, any switchingcentre or any cellular or fixed telephony network element. In someembodiments the server is persistently distributed over the network thatit covers.

[0086]FIG. 6 shows schematic miniature network topology in accordancewith the invention. The subscriber terminals 650, 651 are in the domainof the server 610, and the terminals 652, 653 are in the domain ofserver 620. The servers 610 and 620 form a miniature Store and ForwardServer Network. Consider a case where a message is placed from theterminal 650 to terminals 652 and 651. In some embodiments the terminal650 forms a connection to server 610, and the message is recorded to thesaid server. Server 610 iterates alternatives to deliver the message toboth recipients. In some embodiments, it will form a connection toterminal 651 by itself and play the message if the recipient isavailable. Meanwhile in some embodiments, the server 610 relays a copyof the recorded file to the other server 620 in the SFSN. The file canbe relayed by FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or by a traction betweendatabases or by any other data management method. The server 620 thencalls the recipient 652 and plays the data file, if the recipient isavailable.

[0087] The subscriber terminals 650, 651, 652, 653 may be any fixed lineor wireless device with a telephony or Internet connection. In someembodiments the subscriber terminal is typically a mobile stationequipped with an Internet connection and/or a telephony networkconnection. The mobile station typically abides to UMTS-, GSM-, WAP-,Teldesic-, Inmarsat-, Iridium-, GPRS, CDMA-, HTTP-, H323-, SMS-, MMS-,and/or WCDMA-standards in some preferable embodiments. The subscriberterminal used in the method may also be a PC, PDA Palm Computer or anApple Macintosh computer equipped with an Internet connection and/or atelephony network connection in some preferable embodiments. Thesubscriber terminal in accordance with the invention has typically anoperating system like Windows-, Windows NT-, Epoc-, Windows CE-, Unix-,Linux-, OS/2, Symbian, Epoc, PalmOS, Pocket PC, GEOS, Ms-Stinger and/orSybase. The execution of methods 10, 20, 30 is typically realised with aseparate software application operating under the control of theseoperating systems. Alternatively, the execution of methods 10, 20, 30may be realised with software that is integrated to any of the aboveoperating systems. In some embodiments the execution of methods 10, 20,30 and their favourable permutations and further embodiments may berealised by OEM software for mobile stations, modems, computers, radio,SIM cards and/or line cards. In some embodiments the execution ofmethods 10, 20, 30 may be realised with software that is integrated toany email client software, such as Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express orthe like. In some embodiments the execution of methods 10, 20, 30 may berealised with software that is developed using SAT (SIM ApplicationToolkit) or WTAI (Wireless Telephony Application Interface) of WAP(Wireless Application Protocol).

[0088] The servers 610, 620 are typically as described in FIG. 2, exceptthat they may have a separate SFSN data connection between theirdatabases and application logic. In embodiments where some subscribersare wireless, the servers 610, 620, or the SFSN in general may exhibithandover functions. When a subscriber terminal 650 enters the area wherethe latency or cost of connection for the server 620 is smaller, it ispreferable that it should contact 620 instead. To facilitate thesehandovers servers 610, 620 may be assigned to different subscribers 650,651, 652, 653 dynamically during roaming, or later by informationderived from the HLR, VLR or any cellular network element that containsthe location of the subscriber. The requests for handover may beinitiated by the network, the mobile station or both.

[0089] The servers 610, 620, and the subscriber terminals 650, 651, 652,653 may feature transcoders, which may modify the message format fromone to the next. For example a message left with a normal phone callcould be transcoded into an MMS message. Transcoding between anycommunication protocols, such as SS7-, GSM-, H323-, HTTP-, GSM-data,IP-RAN-, UMTS-, WAP-, Teldesic, Inmarsat-, Iridium-, GPRS-, CDMA-data-,WCDMA-data-, HTTP-, H323-, SMS, MMS-, USSD-, email-LAN-, TCP/IP-, UDP-,POTS-, NDC-, PDC-, imode-, Globalstar- and/or WLAN-, or file formats,such as MP3, WAV, RealSystem Secure or the like is in accordance withthe invention.

[0090]FIG. 7 displays typical screenshots of an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention where the subscriber terminal is a mobile station,typically a GSM-CDMA- and/or a WAP mobile station. The main menu item710 displays “Voice Messages”, and is in the main menu of SIM or mobilestation operating system software in some embodiments. The main menuitem 710 could bear any name e.g. “Instant Voice Message” in accordancewith the invention. By choosing 711 “send” the user is directed to thenames and telephone numbers directory of the mobile station, which maybe stored on the SIM, mobile station memory or network. Once in thedirectory the user may send a voice message to a recipient, severalrecipients or a group of recipients by selecting the recipients from thenames directory with a dedicated action. Alternatively the user mayenter at least one telephone number or other contact directory directlyto the mobile station at any stage.

[0091] By choosing 712 “options” the user is directed to the Optionsmenu 720. In this menu, the user may record prefixes and postfixes, oralter Send options or Receive options. Send options and receive optionsmay feature saving messages at any stage of methods 10, 20 and/or 30, orpreferences concerning alternative routings to alternative directories,such as email addresses, IP addresses or the like. The inventive methodand arrangement 70 is typically realised with WTAI or SIM ApplicationToolkit (SAT) in some embodiments.

[0092] It is possible to exchange methods or means, any parts of theinvention, duplicates of the invention, entities composed of theinvention or inventive idea to any party in exchange for economicbenefit, other benefit, or for no benefit at all.

[0093] The invention has been explained above with reference to theaforementioned embodiments and several commercial and industrialadvantages have been demonstrated. The inventive methods and means understudy allow faster voice messaging and enable similar, but not identicalaudio/video message “ping ball” as described in the priority document.The sending of voicemail in accordance with the invention isinstantaneous and involves no different telephone numbers for the senderto remember. The reception of messages is always instantaneous, providedthe recipient is available, and only if not available, may the deliveryof the messages be delayed.

[0094] The invention has been explained above with reference to theaforementioned embodiments. However, it is clear that the invention isnot only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possibleembodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and thefollowing patent claims.

1. A video- and/or voicemail messaging method, comprising at least onesubscriber terminal and at least one server, characterised by the stepsof, choosing at least one message recipient or a group (110), forming acommunications connection to at least one server (120) transferring atleast one contact directory of at least one recipient to at least oneserver (130), recording at least one voice/video message to at least oneserver via at least one established communications connection (140),disconnecting the connection to at least one server (150), at least oneserver relays the message to at least one recipient terminal viatelephony network or the Internet (160).
 2. A video- and/or voicemailmassaging method, comprising at least one subscriber terminal ad atleast one server, characterised by the steps of, choosing at least onemessage recipient or a group (210), forming a communications connectionto at least one server (220) transferring at least one contact directoryof at least one recipient to at least one server (230), recording atleast one voice/video message to at least one server via at least oneestablished communications connection (240), disconnecting theconnection to at least one sever (250), transferring at least one saidmessage and at least one said contact directory to a Store and ForwardServer Network (SFSN) (260), at least one server in the SFSN or theoriginal server relays at least one message to at least one recipientterminal device through the Internet or the telephony network (270), 3.A method as claimed in 1 and/or 2, characterised in that, undeliveredmessages are stored at the SFSN (270) or the original server, andattempts to resend at least one message to at least one recipient aremade, and/or attempts to resend to alternative contact directories of atleast one recipient are made.
 4. A method as claimed in 1 and/or 2,characterised in that, undelivered messages are stored at the SFSN (270)or the original server for a given time, after which they are deleted.5. A method as claimed in 1 and/or 2, characterised in that, recipientcontact directory may be a telephone number, ISDN number, URL-address,email, IP-address, and the recipient contact information is readily andtransparently converted from one directory to the next in accordancewith message delivery requirements.
 6. A method as claimed in 1 and/or2, characterised in that, charging and/or billing for the messagedelivery may be realised during, before, in between or after any of thephases (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270)and may be fixed price, cost per connection minute or cost pertransmitted bit based.
 7. A method as claimed in 1 and/or 2,characterised in that, during, before, in between or after any of thephases (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270)the sender and/or at least one recipient may reply, save and/or forwardmessages on the network, the said server and/or a subscriber terminal.8. A method as claimed in 1 and/or 2, characterised in that, thecommunications connections used between at least one terminal and atleast one server or in the SFSN are dial connections, data connectionsor packet switched connections, typically compliant with: SS7-, GSM-,H323-, HTTP-, GSM-data, IP-RAN-, UMTS-, WAP-, Teldesic-, Inmarsat-,Iridium-, GPRS-, CDMA-data-, WCDMA-data-, HTTP-, H323-, SMS-, MMS-,USSD-, email-LAN-, TCP/IP-, UDP-, POTS-, NDC-, PDC-, imode-, Globalstar-and/or WLAN-connections.
 9. A method as claimed in 1 and/or 2,characterised in that, at least one subscriber terminal and at least oneserver form a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
 10. A video- and/orvoicemail messaging server, comprising as least one media player and/ora DSP and at least one data storage means and communications connectionsin and out of the telephony network, SFSN and/or the Internet,characterised in that, a recording is arranged to be made to the mediaplayer (520, 540) and/or DSP through an established communicationsconnection from a subscriber terminal, a capture of recipient contactinformation and/or other message attributes from the subscriber terminalis arranged on the server (500), and the contact information is arrangedto be stored to the storage means, at least one media player (520, 540)and/or DSP is arranged to store the recording to a data file, at leastone data file is arranged to be stored on the data storage means, atleast one data file, or at least one copy of the data file is arrangedto be sent to another server in the SFSN and/or a connection is arrangedto be formed to at least one recipient.
 11. A video- and/or voicemailmessaging server as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that, the saidstorage means is a database associated with a data management utility(530).
 12. A video and/or voicemail messaging subscriber terminal,characterised in that, the user is arranged with the possibility toselect at least one recipient, at least one communications connection isarranged to be formed to the server upon selection of at least onerecipient, the recipient contact information is arranged to be sent tothe server, the terminal is arranged to relay at least one video and/oraudio signal to the server, the communication connection is arranged tobe disconnected upon a dedicated action or upon the fulfilment ofdedicated criteria.
 13. A video- and/or voicemail messaging subscriberterminal as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that, the subscriberterminal is a PC, PDA, mobile station and/or a Apple Macintosh computerwith a communication connection compliant with at least one of thefollowing: SS7-, GSM-, H323-, HTTP, GSM-data, IP-RAN-, UMTS-, WAP-,Teldesic-, Inmarsat-, Iridium-, GPRS-, CDMA-data-, WCDMA-data-, HTTP-,H323-, SMS-, MMS-, USSD-, email-LAN-, TCP/IP-, UDP-, POTS-, PDC, NDC-,imode-, Globalstar- and/or WLAN-connections.